Uni Essen: Enriched language in text messages
Linguists argue whether the language development of children is disrupted by WhatsApp and Instagram. Germanists at the University of Duisburg-Essen say that Language online enrich our written language. It is similar to direct communication, in which we can shorten sentences or just use keywords and ask directly if we don’t understand something. In the case of newspaper articles and books, for example, that adhere to all grammar rules, you can often not ask back directly, so they need clear texts and clear language.
But expand the chat language for Prof. Dr. Michael Beißwenger and Dr. Steffen Pappert from the University of Essen regained access to the written language and created new means of expression. In cooperation with schools and parents who nevertheless pay attention to the correct use, it is not necessarily to be seen as disruptive for language development, according to an interview with Radio Essen.
Emojis – not just emotional accessories
Some linguists smile at the emojis and consider them to be a gimmick. But the German students from the University of Essen see much more in this. Emojis in text messages, whether alone or together with text, have gained acceptance worldwide. They ensure a certain emotional classification of a message and ensure understanding. They not only replace the missing facial expressions or gestures online, but are also often used to maintain relationships, as a natural means of expression, it goes on to say.
Text messages create more closeness than video calls?
Another study by the University of Duisburg-Essen found in the corona pandemic that many people felt less social closeness through video chats than through regular text messaging. The study by the social psychologist Prof. Dr. Nicole Krämer shown. The longing for real face-to-face contact has only increased for many. Short text messages spread throughout the day gave many people the feeling that they were liked, or that others were thinking of you or that you yourself were involved in the lives of others.
Written emergency call via the Nora app in Essen
The Nora app offers the possibility to send emergency calls quickly and easily to the fire brigade and police.
© Radio Essen / Larissa Schmitz–
The fire brigade has been working with the nationwide since the summer Nora app. An app that can be used to make emergency calls, especially good for the hearing impaired, who otherwise had difficulties with phone calls or faxes. In the app you will be guided through individual quick questions, for example what type of emergency call it is, a fire, a crime or do you need an ambulance? Then there are questions to assess the situation, for example what is burning, how high is the building, are people affected, etc. When the emergency call is sent, it appears immediately in the control center’s system, which then possibly via a Chat can ask questions and then immediately send emergency services. The Essen fire brigade also uses the app and shows with a short explanatory video how the Nora app works.
It is important to know that the Nora app is currently only available for download via detours (as of November 15). Shortly after the app was released, the download servers were overloaded, so you currently have to use the Inquire about the Nora app using the contact form so that you can be activated for the download. If you then have the app, it is important to register and provide some information about yourself. In this way, the data appears directly in the police and fire brigade system every time you make an emergency call, which bypasses important queries and thus saves important time.
Top abbreviations and slang words in the online language
Many of us know the feeling of laziness that comes over us when it comes to typing long text messages. Some people then like to pick up a voice message or throw around abbreviations. Who doesn’t know the famous “k” in order not to have to type two miserable letters like “ok”? Many abbreviations still originate from the time of limited characters for an SMS or on Twitter. And many abbreviations are derived from English and are considered official chat abbreviations.
- ASAP = as soon as possible = as soon as possible
- FYI = for your information = for information or just so that you know
- Wg? = How are you?
In addition, there are also some abbreviations that get out of hand and are no longer short because of their length. Like “bidunowa”, which means: “Are you still awake?”
Another popular abbreviation is “nh”. For example, likes to appear in the middle of a sentence: “I took a break.” Just means the abbreviated article “I took a break.” Why it is not called “ne”, as it is often said, is an unresolved mystery. At the end of a question, “nh” reinforces the question: “The game was cool, nh?” That means: “The game was cool, right?” Some abbreviations remain strange, such as certain slang or youth words that we have also represented a lot in the online language.
The youth word of the year 2021 is one of them: “Cringe”, which means being ashamed of others and therefore shuddering. “Banal traffic” is also a nice word. That means boring chat history. “Exting” means breaking up with someone via text message. And then there is “Wayne”. This is often used for “Wayne cares?” To say exactly that: Who cares? Why “wayne” now? It’s just a reference to the American actor John Wayne, but there is only a concrete connection through the wording, not through the person.
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